Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1887-05-06
RESCUED FROM A HAREM,

w ono ouAP ASu ~ SdlS
and a guard house at either end.
Blank walls about 20 feet high ex.
tended some 500 feet along both sides
OF the street. Behind these walls were
the palaces oftwo of the grand pachas.
We could only see the windows OF the
upper stories; the magnificence with.
Ill was left to our Imagination. AS
we were walking past, one afternoon,
one OF the windows was suddenly
thrown open, and there appeared at
it the most beautiful woman I had
ever seen. We were fairly electrified
by her beauty. She had defied we'll
known edict in showing us her face, as
we knew. Instantly as she appeared
we saw her throw something over the
wall, and then she closed the window.
1t was a note which she had thrown.
We all rushed to pick it up. Theprize
was won by q Swedish captain, who
Immediately pocketed it.
When we arrived at the landing the
Swedish captain invited me on board
his ship. We had been so init
mate during our stay here that the
rest OF the party could not take Of
fence at this preference; but how anx-
ious they were to know the content Is
OF that note! Insisted that no gentle
man could ask, nor would any divulge
its contents, which justly belonged to
It's captor. Once on board, the note
was opened, when an agitation seized
the captain, which made him appear
to me like q lunatic.
|'Captain," he said, handing me the
note, "you are married, and circum-
stances have proved how much you
love your wife. am unmarried and
have fallen desperately in love.
Help me by your advice. What
shall l do? My ships ready to sail and
the wind is fair. I do not Town the
vessel or cargo, and therefore have no
right to detain her. Read, and tell
me what to do"
AS my own marriage had been very
romantic this affair was doubly ex-
citing to me. The note was written
in a good English hand as follows:
II know you are Christians and will
save me from this life degradation.
Entombed in this harem, from which
there is no other way Of escape, l ap-
peal to you in mercy to save me.
God, I know, will open your hearts,
give wisdom, and guide you to-mor-
row night to a silken thread thrown
from the window, near where you
found my note. To the thread at
tach your answer. Death awaits dis
covery."
The night was spent in devising
means OF rescue. The captain swore
upon the Bible that he would marry
her if rescued, and if she would con-
sent. Jewels are most priced when
most difficult to obtain. / was in full
sympathy with his feelings, and when
the day broke our plan OF action had
been determined. saw that he was
untitled to 60 to sea, his head being
entirely turned, and to ease his con-
science upon the point of his duty I
pointed out that the interest of all
parties would be served best if lie
should defer his departure until the
dark moon, when the plan devised
could be. put into operation. This
would necessitate g delay OF five days.
Among our friends we were to pre-
tend that no Importance attached to
the missive which the lady had thrown
out. AS q reason for his delay in not
sailing, the Swedish captain was to
say that he had discovered leak In
his ships top side after he had loaded
her, which made it necessary to ca
reen her for repairs. It required much
tact to avoid the captains with whom
he had been in daily company, and to
make EXCUSES to stay ashore late ev-
cry night. We staid ashore to become
acquainted with the guards, whom we
sthought we could induce, by appearing
to be half drunk and liberal use OF
money,to open the gates for US at any
time. The first night we half-staggered
to the gate, handed the guards one
hundred piasters, and then showed
them our empty pockets, whereupon
they allowed us to pass through the
gate, pointing to their hearts to as
sure us that no one should pass that
way to modest us. Each of us carried
! the usual paper lantern to illuminate
the way, and we were we'll armed with
pistols and cutlasses. During the day
we had paced the distance from the
gate to the spot where we might ex-
pect to find the thread, and we now
had but to pace off the same number
OF steps in the darkness. During the
day also we had not failed to show
ourselves frequently IN the street to
let the prisoner know that we meant
y to communicate with her. 4 \
We found the thread and attached
our note OF reply, first putting out our
lights to avoid discovery. Softly pull
ing the thread, We felt 4 gentle strain
in reply, and the note was pulled up,
to reach, we prayed, the hands Of her
who so anxiously awaited it. On our
return to the gate it was Immediately
opened when We had Knocked. and
the guard had recognized our English
voices. .ggS5 u q.
Our letter to the lady contained the
following: = !. s5.s 3.s5.s
Ss ''On the fifth night, counting from
to morrow, we will rescue you by q
rope ladder. At one O'Clock we will
attach e strong line to the end of your
cord. Pull this until 4 the ladder
reaches you. The line WILDE sufficient
strong to bear your weight. Place
the line over 8 hook or post but do
Il not make it fast. We viii hold the
end. SO fear not. Tho line will be
Withdrawn after you descent, 30 that
d no one viii discover the manner q
POUR escape. There will be no moon.
Before day break you win be on i
vessel n under way Tor England.